Germs can spread rapidly in group settings such as a long-term care home. Since many diseases are contagious before symptoms appear, it is often difficult to prevent their spread.
What are we required to do?
Long-term care homes are obligated to report suspect outbreaks to the Communicable Disease Control Program at the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit by telephone as soon as possible in the following situations:
- 2 or more residents are ill with gastro-enteric symptoms such as vomiting and/or diarrhea within 48 hours
- 2 or more residents are ill with acute respiratory illness (ARI) in a geographic area (floor, unit), within 48hrs, or more than one unit/floor having a case of ARI within 48 hrs, or one laboratory-confirmed case of influenza.
Any further cases may result in a confirmed outbreak.
What questions should we expect to be asked?
The Public Health Nurse (PHN) or Public Health Inspector (PHI) may be asking you several questions, which may include:
- When did the resident(s) become ill?
- Are there any staff members with similar illness?
- What is the total population of residents at the facility, and how are they distributed in the facility?
- How many staff are absent from the facility today?
- What main symptoms are the ill residents/staff experiencing?
What happens from here…?
An outbreak may be declared at the facility. You will be given an outbreak number and further outbreak control measures will be discussed.
A Public Health Nurse or Public Health Inspector will monitor the situation by contacting the facility on a daily basis. Recommendations may be made and guidance given on helping limit the spread of the illness.
If you think that you have a: Confirmed Gastroenteric Outbreak or Confirmed Respiratory Outbreak please contact the Communicable Disease Control Program and complete the Outbreak Line Listing form and fax to the CDC program at 705-474-2809.
Where can I get more information?
Contact a member of the Communicable Disease Control Program at 705-474-1400 or 1-800-563-2808 ext 5229, we will be happy to assist you. After hours please page the PHN on-call at 705-474-1400.
Recommendations made by the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit are based on MOHLTC: Control of Gastroenteritis Outbreaks in Long-Term Care Homes , and A Guide to the Control of Respiratory Infection Outbreaks in Long-Term Care Homes.
For further information, please contact the Communicable Disease Control Program staff at 705-474-1400 or 1-800-563-2808, ext 5229 or email us at cdc@healthunit.ca